Milford: Industrial Development Commission considers future

Friday

Feb 21, 2014 at 12:10 AM

By Lindsay CorcoranDaily News Staff

MILFORD – After its goals and work were questioned by selectmen, the Industrial Development Commission is discussing widening its scope and taking a more active role in economic development in the town.The commission has talked over the past two meetings about expanding its focus to general economic development and improvements to the downtown area.The discussion of the group’s future originated after Selectman Chairman William Buckley made several comments over the past few months calling for the group to revise its charter.“I haven’t heard a lot from them and I think there are opportunities there to provide more information and feedback,” said Buckley at a Board of Selectmen meeting in December.The 11-member commission was founded in 1978 by Town Meeting with the purpose of “the promotion and development of the industrial resources” of the town, according to the state legislation the town adopted. A commission, under the same legislation, is charged with conducting research into industrial conditions, assisting in the establishment of projects and coordinating any unofficial bodies.However, the commission has no direct authority or regulatory powers.In the past, the commission has focused on the development of the Bear Hill industrial area infrastructure.Now, with the town 85 percent built out, the commission’s focus has already shifted.“There’s nothing to technically prevent us from working on economic development,” said commission Chairman Larry Dunkin. “We’ve done things and funded things more to do with community development and economic development, not specifically industrial development.”Dunkin also noted that the commission has been working on traffic projects, including following up on the previously proposed alternative route project, which isn’t specifically focused on industrial development.In terms of the future of the commission, members have expressed interest in making it a forum to discuss the possible redevelopment of the downtown area.“The IDC has considered expanding its focus to include more of an economic development focus, however adequate staff and funding would need to be provided,” Dunkin wrote in a draft memo to selectmen.He suggested converting the existing Community Development position to a full-time position, not dependent on federal block grant funding as it is now.“This would in turn be augmented by the IDC broadening its focus to include more general economic development issues,” Dunkin noted in the memo.Two vacancies on the commission were filled last month by Rob Mitchell and Peter Scandone, former members of the Casino-Free Milford group.Dunkin suggested that the president of the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce and a representative of Waters Corp. be considered for appointment if future vacancies arise.The memo to selectmen will likely be addressed at a future board meeting, though no formal discussion has been scheduled.Contact Lindsay Corcoran at 508-634-7582 or lcorcoran@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @LacorcMDN.

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